Relevance based visual media item modification

ABSTRACT

A method that receives a visual media item and determines an identity of at least one intended viewer of the visual media item is disclosed. The method may further identify a visual representation of an object that is comprised by the visual media item and determine a relevance of the object based, at least in part, on the identity. The method may further generate a modified visual media item such that the modified visual media item differs from the visual media item, at least, by visual emphasis of the visual representation of the object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/146,231 filed on May 4, 2016, which is a continuation patentapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/060,284, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,367,939, filed on Oct. 22, 2013, which are all herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to modification of a visualmedia item.

BACKGROUND

As electronic apparatuses have become more popular, more people havebecome dependent upon their electronic apparatuses for recording visualmedia, sharing visual media, editing visual media, etc. In manycircumstances, it may be difficult for a user to modify visual media tosuit their viewing desires. It may be desirable to provide for a simplemanner for visual media items to be modified in a manner that isdesirable to the viewer of the visual media item.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

One or more embodiments may provide an apparatus, a computer readablemedium, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer programproduct, and a method for receiving a visual media item, determining anidentity of at least one intended viewer of the visual media item,identifying a visual representation of an object that is comprised bythe visual media item, determining a relevance of the object based, atleast in part, on the identity, and generating a modified visual mediaitem such that the modified visual media item differs from the visualmedia item, at least, by visual emphasis of the visual representation ofthe object.

One or more embodiments may provide an apparatus, a computer readablemedium, a computer program product, and a non-transitory computerreadable medium having means for receiving a visual media item, meansfor determining an identity of at least one intended viewer of thevisual media item, means for identifying a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item, means for determininga relevance of the object based, at least in part, on the identity, andmeans for generating a modified visual media item such that the modifiedvisual media item differs from the visual media item, at least, byvisual emphasis of the visual representation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the difference of visual emphasisrelates to the visual representation of the object comprised by themodified visual media item being emphasized to a greater extent than thevisual representation of the object comprised by the visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, generation of the modified visualmedia item relates to performance of a visual effect on the visualrepresentation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates toemphasis of the visual representation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, a magnitude of the visual effect isbased, at least in part, on the relevance.

In at least one example embodiment, a magnitude of the visual effect isbased, at least in part, on a magnitude of the relevance.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates to anincreased brightness effect.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates to asharpening visual effect.

One or more example embodiments further perform generation of themodified visual media item relates to performance of a visual effect onat least one part of the visual media item that fails to include thevisual representation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates tode-emphasis of the region.

In at least one example embodiment, the region relates to a backgroundof the visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, the background relates to a part ofthe visual media item that fails to relate to the visual representationof the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the region relates to a visualrepresentation of a different object.

In at least one example embodiment, generation of the modified visualmedia item relates to preclusion of performance of the visual effect onat least one part of the visual media item that includes the visualrepresentation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, a magnitude of the visual effect isbased, at least in part, on the relevance.

In at least one example embodiment, a magnitude of the visual effect isbased, at least in part, on a magnitude of the relevance.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates to adecreased lighting visual effect.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual effect relates to adulling visual effect.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item relates to ahyperfocal visual content.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item relates to amultiframe high dynamic range processed image.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item relates to amultiframe extended depth of field image.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item is receivedfrom a camera module.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item relates to amedia item that comprises visual content.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item comprises atleast one of an image, or a video.

In at least one example embodiment, the image relates to at least one ofa multiframe image, or a single frame image.

In at least one example embodiment, the visual media item is receivedfrom a separate apparatus.

In at least one example embodiment, the image is received from at leastone memory.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity relates to informationthat designates at least one characteristic of the intended viewer.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity relates to at least oneof a name associated with the intended viewer, an identification codethat designates the intended viewer, or contact information associatedwith the intended viewer.

In at least one example embodiment, the contact information relates toat least one of a messaging address, a phone number, or a uniformresource locator.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity relates to a socialnetworking account designation.

In at least one example embodiment, the intended viewer relates to aperson for which the visual media item is modified to suit.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the identity of theintended viewer of the visual media item relates to a presumption that auser of the apparatus is the intended viewer, and retrieval of identityinformation associated with the user of the apparatus.

In at least one example embodiment, the retrieval of identityinformation relates to retrieval from memory.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity relates to an identityassociated with a user account that is active when the visual media itemis received.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the visualrepresentation of the object comprises utilization of at least oneregion of interest detection module.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the visualrepresentation of the object comprises utilization of at least oneobject analysis module.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the visualrepresentation of the object comprises image segmentation and imagerecognition of the object by way of image recognition.

In at least one example embodiment, the object relates to a person anddetermination of the visual representation of the object relates tofacial recognition.

One or more example embodiments further perform determination ofinformation indicative of at least one environmental factor associatedwith the visual media item, wherein at least one of the identificationof the object or determination of relevance of the object is based, atleast in part, on the environmental factor.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the informationindicative of the environmental factor associated with the visual mediaitem comprises retrieval of metadata associated with the visual mediaitem.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the informationindicative of the environmental factor associated with the visual mediaitem comprises receipt of sensor information indicative of theenvironmental factor.

In at least one example embodiment, the environmental factor relates toa geographical position.

In at least one example embodiment, the environmental factor relates toa direction.

In at least one example embodiment, the identification of the visualrepresentation of the object is based, at least in part, on theenvironmental factor.

One or more example embodiments further perform determination that theobject corresponds with at least one point of interest associated withthe environmental factor, wherein the identification of the visualrepresentation of the object is based, at least in part, on thedetermination that the object corresponds with at least one point ofinterest associated with the environmental factor.

In at least one example embodiment, the point of interest relates to atleast one of a street, a building, or a landmark.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the relevance ofthe object relates to correlation of the object to informationindicative of a relationship between the identity and the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the relevance relates to a valueindicative of existence of a relationship between the identity and theobject.

In at least one example embodiment, a value indicative of existence of arelationship between the identity and the object relates to a value thatis greater than a value indicative of absence of a relationship betweenthe identity and the object.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the relevance ofthe object relates to a lack of correlation of the object to informationindicative of a relationship between the identity and the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the relevance relates to a valueindicative of absence of a relationship between the identity and theobject.

In at least one example embodiment, a value indicative of absence of arelationship between the identity and the object relates to a value thatis less than a value indicative of existence of a relationship betweenthe identity and the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the object relates to a person andinformation indicative of a relationship relates to informationindicative of a social connection between the identity and the person.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of thesocial connection relates to contact information.

In at least one example embodiment, the contact information relates tocontact information associated with a social networking account, and thesocial connection relates to a connection between the contactinformation and the identity by way of the social network.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity relates to a user ofthe apparatus and the contact information relates to contact informationcomprised by a contact list associated with the apparatus.

One or more example embodiments further perform receipt of theinformation indicative of the relationship between the identity and theobject.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship is received from at least one external apparatus.

In at least one example embodiment, the external apparatus relates to asocial networking server.

In at least one example embodiment, the external apparatus relates to aserver that provides information associated with the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to profile information associated with theidentity.

In at least one example embodiment, profile information relates toinformation indicative of preferences in relation to one or moreobjects.

One or more example embodiments further perform determination of atleast one environmental factor associated with the apparatus, whereinthe identity relates to a user of the apparatus and the informationindicative of a relationship relates to the environmental factor.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of arelationship relates to historical information associated with theidentity.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to hobby information associated with the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to age information associated with the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to gender information associated with the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to industry information associated with theidentity.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of relevance comprisesdetermination of a role of the object in the visual media.

In at least one example embodiment, role of the object relates to alevel of importance of the object with respect to the visual media.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the role of theobject is based, at least in part, on at least one of a size of thevisual representation of the object or a position of the visualrepresentation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, a central position relates to agreater relevance than a non-central position.

In at least one example embodiment, a larger visual representation ofthe object relates to a greater relevance than a smaller visualrepresentation of the object.

One or more example embodiments further perform sending the modifiedvisual media item to a recipient, wherein the intended viewer is therecipient.

One or more example embodiments further perform sending the visual mediaitem to the recipient.

In at least one example embodiment, determination of the identitycomprises receipt of information indicative of an input that designatesthe identity.

One or more example embodiments further perform causation of display ofthe modified visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, the input relates to selection of aninterface item associated with the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the interface item relates to atleast one of a contact interface item associated with the identity, oran image associated with the identity.

One or more example embodiments further perform causation of display ofthe visual media item, wherein the input relates to selection of a partof the visual media item that corresponds with a visual representationof the identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the selection relates to a draginput indicative of dragging the interface item to a position thatcorresponds with a position of the displayed visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, identification of the visualrepresentation of the object is performed absent receipt of inputindicative of the visual representation of the object.

One or more example embodiments further perform identification of avisual representation of a different object, and identification of adifferent relevance of the different object based, at least in part, onthe identity.

In at least one example embodiment, the different relevance is greaterthan the relevance, and the difference of visual emphasis relates to thevisual representation of the object comprised by the modified visualmedia item being emphasized to a lesser extent than the visualrepresentation of the object comprised by the visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, generation of the modified visualmedia item is performed such that the modified visual media item failsto differ from the visual media item, at least, by visual emphasis ofthe visual representation of the different object being emphasizedsimilarly to the visual representation of the different object comprisedby the visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, generation of the modified visualmedia item is performed such that the modified visual media item differsfrom the visual media item, at least, by visual emphasis of the visualrepresentation of the different object being emphasized to a greaterextent than the visual representation of the different object comprisedby the visual media item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention,reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an exampleembodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2B are diagrams illustrating apparatus communication accordingto at least one example embodiment;

FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams illustrating visual media items according to atleast one example embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-4C are diagrams illustrating visual media items according to atleast one example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment;and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention and its potential advantages areunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 10 of the drawings.

Some embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all,embodiments are shown. Various embodiments of the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similarterms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of beingtransmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be takento limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analogcircuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits andcomputer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmwareinstructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that worktogether to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functionsdescribed herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, amicroprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requiresoftware or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware isnot physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to alluses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example,as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementationcomprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof andaccompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a basebandintegrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for amobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellularnetwork apparatus, other network apparatus, and/or other computingapparatus.

As defined herein, a “non-transitory computer-readable medium,” whichrefers to a physical medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memorydevice), can be differentiated from a “transitory computer-readablemedium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus, such as an electronicapparatus 10, according to at least one example embodiment. It should beunderstood, however, that an electronic apparatus as illustrated andhereinafter described is merely illustrative of an electronic apparatusthat could benefit from embodiments of the invention and, therefore,should not be taken to limit the scope of the invention. Whileelectronic apparatus 10 is illustrated and will be hereinafter describedfor purposes of example, other types of electronic apparatuses mayreadily employ embodiments of the invention. Electronic apparatus 10 maybe a personal digital assistant (PDAs), a pager, a mobile computer, adesktop computer, a television, a gaming apparatus, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a media player, a camera, a video recorder, a mobilephone, a global positioning system (GPS) apparatus, an automobile, akiosk, an electronic table, and/or any other types of electronicsystems. Moreover, the apparatus of at least one example embodiment neednot be the entire electronic apparatus, but may be a component or groupof components of the electronic apparatus in other example embodiments.For example, the apparatus may be an integrated circuit, a set ofintegrated circuits, and/or the like.

Furthermore, apparatuses may readily employ embodiments of regardless oftheir intent to provide mobility. In this regard, even thoughembodiments may be described in conjunction with mobile applications, itshould be understood that embodiments may be utilized in conjunctionwith a variety of other applications, both in the mobile communicationsindustries and outside of the mobile communications industries. Forexample, the apparatus may relate to, at least part of, a non-carryableapparatus, such as a large screen television, a kiosk, an automobile,and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, electronic apparatus 10 comprisesprocessor 11 and memory 12. Processor 11 may be any type of processor,controller, embedded controller, processor core, and/or the like. In atleast one example embodiment, processor 11 utilizes computer programcode to cause an apparatus to perform one or more actions. Memory 12 maycomprise volatile memory, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM)including a cache area for the temporary storage of data and/or othermemory, for example, non-volatile memory, which may be embedded and/ormay be removable. The non-volatile memory may comprise an EEPROM, flashmemory and/or the like. Memory 12 may store any of a number of pieces ofinformation, and data. The information and data may be used by theelectronic apparatus 10 to implement one or more functions of theelectronic apparatus 10, such as the functions described herein. In atleast one example embodiment, memory 12 includes computer program codesuch that the memory and the computer program code are configured to,working with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform one or moreactions described herein.

The electronic apparatus 10 may further comprise a communication device15. In at least one example embodiment, communication device 15comprises an antenna, (or multiple antennae), a wired connector, and/orthe like in operable communication with a transmitter and/or a receiver.In at least one example embodiment, processor 11 provides signals to atransmitter and/or receives signals from a receiver. The signals maycomprise signaling information in accordance with a communicationsinterface standard, user speech, received data, user generated data,and/or the like. Communication device 15 may operate with one or moreair interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, andaccess types. By way of illustration, the electronic communicationdevice 15 may operate in accordance with second-generation (2G) wirelesscommunication protocols IS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)),Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), and IS-95 (code divisionmultiple access (CDMA)), with third-generation (3G) wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and timedivision-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), and/or with fourth-generation (4G)wireless communication protocols, wireless networking protocols, such as802.11, short-range wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, and/or thelike. Communication device 15 may operate in accordance with wirelineprotocols, such as Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM), and/or the like.

Processor 11 may comprise means, such as circuitry, for implementingaudio, video, communication, navigation, logic functions, and/or thelike, as well as for implementing embodiments of the inventionincluding, for example, one or more of the functions described herein.For example, processor 11 may comprise means, such as a digital signalprocessor device, a microprocessor device, various analog to digitalconverters, digital to analog converters, processing circuitry and othersupport circuits, for performing various functions including, forexample, one or more of the functions described herein. The apparatusmay perform control and signal processing functions of the electronicapparatus 10 among these devices according to their respectivecapabilities. The processor 11 thus may comprise the functionality toencode and interleave message and data prior to modulation andtransmission. The processor 1 may additionally comprise an internalvoice coder, and may comprise an internal data modem. Further, theprocessor 11 may comprise functionality to operate one or more softwareprograms, which may be stored in memory and which may, among otherthings, cause the processor 11 to implement at least one embodimentincluding, for example, one or more of the functions described herein.For example, the processor 11 may operate a connectivity program, suchas a conventional internet browser. The connectivity program may allowthe electronic apparatus 10 to transmit and receive internet content,such as location-based content and/or other web page content, accordingto a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), UserDatagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), PostOffice Protocol (POP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), WirelessApplication Protocol (WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/orthe like, for example.

The electronic apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface for providingoutput and/or receiving input. The electronic apparatus 10 may comprisean output device 14. Output device 14 may comprise an audio outputdevice, such as a ringer, an earphone, a speaker, and/or the like.Output device 14 may comprise a tactile output device, such as avibration transducer, an electronically deformable surface, anelectronically deformable structure, and/or the like. Output device 14may comprise a visual output device, such as a display, a light, and/orthe like. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus causesdisplay of information, the causation of display may comprise displayingthe information on a display comprised by the apparatus, sending theinformation to a separate apparatus that comprises a display, and/or thelike. The electronic apparatus may comprise an input device 13. Inputdevice 13 may comprise a light sensor, a proximity sensor, a microphone,a touch sensor, a force sensor, a button, a keypad, a motion sensor, amagnetic field sensor, a camera, and/or the like. A touch sensor and adisplay may be characterized as a touch display. In an embodimentcomprising a touch display, the touch display may be configured toreceive input from a single point of contact, multiple points ofcontact, and/or the like. In such an embodiment, the touch displayand/or the processor may determine input based, at least in part, onposition, motion, speed, contact area, and/or the like. In at least oneexample embodiment, the apparatus receives an indication of an input.The apparatus may receive the indication from a sensor, a driver, aseparate apparatus, and/or the like. The information indicative of theinput may relate to information that conveys information indicative ofthe input, indicative of an aspect of the input indicative of occurrenceof the input, and/or the like.

The electronic apparatus 10 may include any of a variety of touchdisplays including those that are configured to enable touch recognitionby any of resistive, capacitive, infrared, strain gauge, surface wave,optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulserecognition or other techniques, and to then provide signals indicativeof the location and other parameters associated with the touch.Additionally, the touch display may be configured to receive anindication of an input in the form of a touch event which may be definedas an actual physical contact between a selection object (e.g., afinger, stylus, pen, pencil, or other pointing device) and the touchdisplay. Alternatively, a touch event may be defined as bringing theselection object in proximity to the touch display, hovering over adisplayed object or approaching an object within a predefined distance,even though physical contact is not made with the touch display. Assuch, a touch input may comprise any input that is detected by a touchdisplay including touch events that involve actual physical contact andtouch events that do not involve physical contact but that are otherwisedetected by the touch display, such as a result of the proximity of theselection object to the touch display. A touch display may be capable ofreceiving information associated with force applied to the touch screenin relation to the touch input. For example, the touch screen maydifferentiate between a heavy press touch input and a light press touchinput. In at least one example embodiment, a display may displaytwo-dimensional information, three-dimensional information and/or thelike.

In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may comprise numeric (forexample, 0-9) keys, symbol keys (for example, #, *), alphabetic keys,and/or the like for operating the electronic apparatus 10. For example,the keypad may comprise a conventional QWERTY keypad arrangement. Thekeypad may also comprise various soft keys with associated functions. Inaddition, or alternatively, the electronic apparatus 10 may comprise aninterface device such as a joystick or other user input interface.

Input device 13 may comprise a media capturing element. The mediacapturing element may be any means for capturing an image, video, and/oraudio for storage, display or transmission. For example, in at least oneexample embodiment in which the media capturing element is a cameramodule, the camera module may comprise a digital camera which may form adigital image file from a captured image. As such, the camera module maycomprise hardware, such as a lens or other optical component(s), and/orsoftware necessary for creating a digital image file from a capturedimage. Alternatively, the camera module may comprise only the hardwarefor viewing an image, while a memory device of the electronic apparatus10 stores instructions for execution by the processor 11 in the form ofsoftware for creating a digital image file from a captured image. In atleast one example embodiment, the camera module may further comprise aprocessing element such as a co-processor that assists the processor 11in processing image data and an encoder and/or decoder for compressingand/or decompressing image data. The encoder and/or decoder may encodeand/or decode according to a standard format, for example, a JointPhotographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard format.

FIGS. 2A-2B are diagrams illustrating apparatus communication accordingto at least one example embodiment. The examples of FIGS. 2A-2B aremerely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. For example,number of apparatuses may vary, communication path may vary,communication channels may vary, and/or the like.

As electronic apparatuses have become more prolific, there has been anincreasing desire for users to utilize multiple electronic apparatusescollaboratively. For example, a user may have a plurality of electronicapparatuses. In such an example, the user may desire to shareinformation from an electronic apparatus to another electronicapparatus, to store information on another electronic apparatus to beaccessed by additional electronic apparatuses, and/or the like. Forexample, the user may have content stored on an apparatus and desire tosend a copy of the content to another apparatus. In such an example, theother apparatus may be the user's apparatus or a different user'sapparatus and the other apparatus may be a server.

In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus may communicate withanother apparatus by way of a communication channel. In at least oneexample embodiment, a communication channel relates to, at leastpartial, allocation of communication resources between an apparatus andanother apparatus. For example, a communication channel may relate to afrequency designation, a channel designation, a sub-channel designation,a frame designation, and/or the like. An apparatus may have a pluralityof communication channels. For example, an apparatus may have one ormore communication channels with one or more other apparatuses, with oneor more communication networks, and/or the like. For purposes ofclarity, a communication channel may be referred to in terms of anapparatus involved in the communication channel. For example, acommunication channel associated with an apparatus may be referred to asan apparatus communication channel, a communication channel associatedwith a separate apparatus may be referred to as a separate apparatuscommunication channel, a communication channel associated with acommunication network may be referred to as a communication networkcommunication channel, and/or the like.

In the example of FIG. 2A, apparatus 202 communicates with apparatus 204by way of a communication channel. For example, apparatus 202 may sendinformation to apparatus 204, may receive information from apparatus204, and/or the like. For example, apparatus 202 may send a message toapparatus 204.

In some circumstances, apparatus 202 and apparatus 204 may communicatedirectly with each other. In other circumstances, apparatus 202 and 204may communicate indirectly, for example by way of a communicationnetwork. In at least one example embodiment, a communication networkrelates to one or more apparatuses that provide for communicationbetween an apparatus and another apparatus. For example, thecommunication network may comprise a plurality of communicationapparatuses. A communication apparatus may be any apparatus associatedwith facilitation of communication in a communication network. Forexample, a communication apparatus may relate to an access point for thecommunication network, such as a wireless access point, a cellular basestation, a Bluetooth access point, and/or the like. In another example,a communication network apparatus may relate to an apparatus utilizedfor communication within the communication network, such as a hub, arouter, a switch, and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment,an apparatus may be in communication with a communication network by wayof a communication channel with a communication apparatus of thecommunication network. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatusthat does not have a communication channel with a communicationapparatus may not be in communication with the communication apparatus.In some circumstances, an apparatus and another apparatus maycommunicate by way of a communication network by way of the samecommunication apparatus. For example, an apparatus may communicate withanother apparatus, by way of a cellular network, where the apparatus andthe other apparatus are in communication with the same base station ofthe cellular network. In such an example, the apparatus and the otherapparatus may be within a region that is covered by the base station.

In some circumstances, an apparatus may be in communication with morethan one other apparatus. For example, an apparatus may be incommunication with another apparatus of a user, and in communicationwith a server. For example, the apparatus may receive information fromthe server that may affect the manner in which the apparatuscommunicates with the other apparatus. For example, the apparatus mayreceive information from the server for communication with the otherapparatus, such as data to be shared with the other apparatus. Inanother example, the apparatus may receive information associated withcommunication with the other apparatus, such as contact information,address information, user information of the user associated with theother apparatus, and/or the like. For example, the server may relate toa social networking server that comprises contact information of theother user. In such an example the apparatus may receive informationindicative of contact information associated with the other user fromthe server. The apparatus may utilize such contact information forsending information to the other apparatus, for determining whichinformation to send to the other user, and/or the like.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the apparatus 222 is in communication withapparatus 224 and apparatus 226. Apparatus 226 may be a server, andapparatus 224 may be an apparatus of a particular user. The user ofapparatus 222 may desire to share information with the particular user.In such an example, apparatus 222 may receive information associatedwith communication with apparatus 224 from apparatus 226. In thismanner, apparatus 222 may communicate with apparatus 224 by way ofinformation received from apparatus 226.

FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams illustrating visual media items according to atleast one example embodiment. The examples of FIGS. 3A-3C are merelyexamples and do not limit the scope of the claims. For example, visualrepresentations may vary, number of objects may vary, proportionality ofthe visual media item may vary, and/or the like.

As display capabilities of apparatus have improved, users have becomeincreasingly reliant on such apparatuses for viewing visual material.For example, many users spend vast amounts of time viewing images andvideos on their electronic apparatuses. As such uses of visual contenthas become increasingly popular, it has also become increasingly popularfor users to share their experiences with other users by way of suchapparatuses. For example, a user may send an image to a friend to allowthe friend to see a recent event. In this manner, visual communicationhas become an increasingly relevant manner of communication by manyusers.

However, in some circumstances, users may have their own individualizedinterest in media content that is shared with them. For example, twodifferent users may enjoy the same image for different reasons. In suchan example, one of the users may appreciate the image for the scenerythat the image shows, while the other user may appreciate the image forthe people that are depicted in the image. In such circumstances, it maybe desirable to enhance the experience of a user viewing visual contentby tailoring the visual content to better suit the particular interestsof the user who is viewing the image. For example, the user who enjoysthe background of the image may appreciate a version of the image thatemphasizes the background or de-emphasizes the people depicted in theimage. Similarly, the user who enjoys the people of the same image mayappreciate a version of the image that emphasizes the depictions of thepeople or de-emphasizes the background. In this manner, such tailoringof the image may provide a better user experience for such users byautomatically adjusting the content of the image to better suit thedesires of such users. Such adjustment may be based, at least in part,on information that allows for an inference regarding what such a usermay appreciate in the visual content, what such a user may fail toappreciate in such an image, and/or the like.

There are many different types of media items that an apparatus mayrender to a user. For example, an apparatus may render visual mediaitems, audible media items, tactile media items, and/or the like. In atleast one example embodiment, a media item relates to a collection ofdata that, when rendered, allows an apparatus to convey the mediarepresented by the data to the user in a manner that allows the user toexperience the information represented by the data by way of the user'ssenses. For example, a visual media item may be a visual item thatprovides graphical imagery that a user may see. For example, the visualmedia item may be a video, an image, and/or the like. For simplicity, avideo may be described in terms of a collection of images that arerendered in succession to each other. Therefore, the description ofimages herein may also be applicable to images represented within avideo.

The apparatus may receive a visual media item from one or more sources.For example, the apparatus may receive a visual media item from a cameramodule, from memory, from a separate apparatus, and/or the like. Forexample, the apparatus may comprise a camera module, and the visualmedia item may be received from the camera module. For example, thevisual media item may be an image captured by the apparatus, a videocaptured by the apparatus, and/or the like. In another example, theapparatus may receive the visual media item from a separate apparatus,such as a server, an apparatus of another user, and/or the like. Forexample, the visual media item may be downloaded from a server, may bereceived in a message, may be shared in a repository, and/or the like.In still another example, the apparatus may have the visual media itemstored in memory, and may receive the visual media item by retrievingthe visual media item from memory.

In many circumstances, visual media items comprise hyperfocal visualcontent. In at least one example embodiment, hyperfocal visual contentrelates to visual content where differences in depth of the representedobjects of the visual content fail to correlate with the object beingout of focus. For example, a camera sensor having an associated smalleraperture may capture images that have a greater hyperfocal quality thancaptured by a camera sensor having an associated larger aperture. Inthis manner, a visual media item based on a single frame image maycomprise hyperfocal visual content. In another example, a visual mediaitem may comprise information associated with multiframe imaging. In atleast one example embodiment, multiframe imaging relates to visual mediaitems that are based on generation of an image from a plurality ofimages that have different properties. Multiframe imaging may refer toapplications that combine several input images into one output image forincreased visual quality. Multiframe imaging may comprise multiframehigh dynamic range (HDR) imaging, multiframe extended-depth-of-field(EDOF) imaging, and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment, HDRis a process where several images are captured with different exposuretimes, gains, etc. and are merged together to obtain a single image withgreater visible details. In at least one example embodiment, EDOF is aprocess where several images differently focused are combined in orderto obtain an image in which objects at different depths are in focus.

In this manner, the visual media item may comprise visual content ofvarious objects that are represented in the visual media item withsimilar clarity, similar emphasis, and/or the like. However, aspreviously described, it may be desirable to vary the representation ofthe objects comprised by the visual media item based, at least in part,on an intended viewer of the visual media item. In at least one exampleembodiment, an intended viewer relates to a person for which the visualmedia item is modified to suit. For example, the apparatus may determinean identity of an intended viewer of the visual media item and modifythe visual media item based, at least in part, on of the identity of theintended viewer. In at least one example embodiment, the identityrelates to information that designates at least one characteristic ofthe intended viewer. For example, the identity may relate to a nameassociated with the intended viewer, an identification code thatdesignates the intended viewer, contact information associated with theintended viewer, and or the like. In at least one example embodiment,the contact information relates to a messaging address, a phone number,a uniform resource locator, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, a user may desire that his apparatusautomatically modify visual media items when the user views them. Forexample, the user may desire to avoid viewing a visual media item in itsoriginal form, but may desire to view a modified version of the visualmedia item that emphasizes objects represented by the visual media itemthat interest the user. In such an example, the apparatus may determinethe identity of the intended viewer to be the user of the apparatus. Forexample, determination of the identity of the intended viewer of thevisual media item may be based, at least in part, on a presumption thata user of the apparatus. In this manner, the identity may relate to anidentity associated with a user account that is active when a visualmedia item is received, is rendered, is viewed, and/or the like. In suchan example, the apparatus may retrieve identity information associatedwith the user of the apparatus, and base the modified visual media item,at least in part, on the retrieved identity information. For example,the apparatus may retrieve the identity information from memory, from arepository, from an external apparatus, such as a server, and/or thelike. It should be understood that determination of an intended viewermay vary. For example, the apparatus may, alternatively, or in addition,determine an intended viewer similarly as described regarding FIG. 7,FIG. 8, and/or the like.

In order to be able to modify representations of objects in the visualmedia item, the apparatus may identify one or more visualrepresentations of objects comprised by the visual media item. Forexample, the apparatus may identify objects that are represented by thevisual media item to determine whether or not to change emphasis of theobject. It should be understood that there are many existing manners foridentifying visual representations of objects in a visual media item,and that there will likely be many future manners for identifying visualrepresentations of objects in a visual media item, and that suchsolutions do not necessarily limit the claims in any way.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus identifies a visualrepresentation of an object that is comprised by the visual media item.The visual representation of the object may relate to a region of thevisual media item that comprises visual information indicative of theobject. In some circumstances, the identified visual representation mayhave a precise boundary that corresponds with a delineation between theobject and other parts of the visual content. However, in somecircumstances, it may be desirable for the visual representation of theobject to be less precise than an exact delineation. For example, it maybe desirable to reduce the amount of apparatus resources allocated fordetermination of the visual representation of the object by reducing thegranularity of such determination. In this manner, the identified visualrepresentation of the object may relate to a region that may include amajority of the visual representation of the object, but less than theentirety of the visual representation of the object. Similarly, theregion may include, at least a part of, a visual representation ofinformation that fails to correspond with the object, such as backgroundinformation, a different object, and/or the like. In at least oneexample embodiment, identification of the visual representation of theobject comprises identification of the object and the portion of thevisual media item that corresponds with the identified object. Forexample, identification of the visual representation may comprisedetermination that a particular region of the visual media itemcomprises a visual representation of an object that has a particularidentity, classification, definition, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus utilizes a region ofinterest detection module for determination of the visual representationof the object. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatusutilizes an object analysis module for determination of the visualrepresentation of the object. For example, a region of interestdetection and/or object analysis module may be capable of analyzing thecontent of images or video frames and recognizing objects, such aspersons, animals, vehicles, buildings, small items, and so on in thecontent. Such detection and/or analysis may, for example, be performedby way of image segmentation, analysis, and image recognition methods.For example, the apparatus may utilize face detection to detect andrecognize faces in the image. In another example, the apparatus mayutilize face recognition to determine an identity of one or more peoplein the image.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to allow the user to assistin determination of a visual representation of an object. For example,the user may provide an input that indicates a part of the visualrepresentation that relates to an object. In such an example, the usermay identify a region of the visual media item for the apparatus toutilize in determining presence of an object in the visual media item.In another example, the user may provide an input that identifies anobject that was determined from the visual representation. In such anexample, the apparatus may have determined that a particular region ofthe visual media item comprises a visual representation of the object,and the user may perform an input that assists in identification of theobject, such as selection of an object identity from a list of availableobject identities. In some circumstances, such a user input may relateto correction of a determined visual representation of an object. Forexample, such an input may correct a region associated with the object,an identity of the object, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus identifies the visualrepresentation of the object absent receipt of input indicative of thevisual representation of the object. For example, the apparatus mayautomatically identify the visual representation of the object absentany assistance from the user. In such an example, the user may desiresuch identification to occur without the user diverting any of hisattention to performance of input for object identification.

As previously described, it may be desirable to modify the visualrepresentation of an object based, at least in part, on the identity ofthe intended viewer. The modification of the visual representation ofthe object may be based, at least in part, on the relevance of theobject to the intended viewer. For example, the apparatus may determinethat the visual media item comprises visual representations of faces ofidentified people. In such an example, the modification of the visualrepresentations of the identified people may be based, at least in part,on the relevance of the identified people to the intended viewer. Forexample, the apparatus may treat a visual representation of a familymember differently that a visual representation of a stranger.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus determines a relevanceof the object based, at least in part, on the identity of the intendedviewer of the visual media item. The relevance may relate to a valueindicative of existence of a relationship between the identity of theintended viewer and the object. For example, a value indicative ofexistence of a relationship between the identity and the object relatesto a value that is greater than a value indicative of absence of arelationship between the identity of the intended viewer and the object,and a value indicative of absence of a relationship between the identityof the intended viewer and the object may relate to a value that is lessthan a value indicative of existence of a relationship between theidentity of the intended viewer and the object. However, in someembodiments, polarity of such a value may differ. In at least oneexample embodiment, determination of the relevance of the object relatesto a lack of correlation of the object to information indicative of arelationship between the identity of the intended viewer and the object.In this manner, the relevance may also relate to a value indicative ofabsence of a relationship between the identity and the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the relevanceof the object comprises correlation of the object to informationindicative of a relationship between the identity of the intended viewerand the object. There may be many sources of information indicative of arelationship between the identity of the intended viewer and the object.For example, information indicative of a relationship between the personand the intended viewer may relate to contact information associatedwith an object that is a person. In such an example, informationindicative of a relationship between the person and the intended viewermay relate to absence of the contact information, presence of thecontact information and/or the like, in a contact list of the intendedviewer. Such a contact list may relate to a phonebook, an externalrepository, a social networking contact list, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment the information indicative of arelationship relates to historical information associated with theidentity of the intended viewer. The historical information may relateto past occurrences that may indicate presence or absence of arelationship.

For example, the information indicative of the relationship may relateto keywords related to user's recent activities, interests, comments,etc. from short messages, email, social networking communication, searchqueries, and/or the like. In such an example, if the intended viewer hasrecently been communicating about babies, the apparatus may determinethat visual representations of babies are relevant for the intendedviewer. In another example, the information indicative of therelationship may relate to places the intended viewer has visited in thepast. For example, if the user has visited Helsinki Cathedral in thepast, the apparatus may utilize the information indicative of the visitto the Helsinki Cathedral as information indicative of a relationshipbetween the user and the Helsinki Cathedral. In still another example,the information indicative of the relationship may relate to theintended viewer's activities and/or interactions with objects inpreviously experienced images. For example, if a user consistentlyspends a longer time viewing images containing certain types of objects(such as flowers, for example), the system may determine that thisobject type is relevant to the user. Similarly, if the intended viewerhas recently viewed images of a particular person presence of a visualrepresentation of that particular person in a visual media item may berelevant to the intended viewer. In still another example, theinformation indicative of the relationship may relate to a web browserhistory. In such an example, if the intended viewer often views webpages containing certain types of objects, such as motorcycles,bicycles, trains, etc., visual representations of those types of objectsmay be determined to be relevant to the intended viewer.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to hobby information associated with the identityof the intended viewer. For example, if the intended viewer is a birdwatcher then visual representations of birds may be relevant to theuser. Similarly, if the user is a fan of a particular sport, visualrepresentation of objects associated with that sport may be relevant tothe user.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to demographical information that corresponds withan attribute of the identity of the intended viewer. For example, theinformation indicative of the relationship may relate to demographicalobject relevance information based on a demographic that may beapplicable to the intended viewer. For example, the informationindicative of the relationship may relate to identification of objectsthat are statistically associated with objects of interest to people whofit within a particular demographic.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to age information associated with the identity ofthe intended viewer. For example, the information indicative of therelationship may relate to demographic information associated with theage of the intended viewer. In such an example, if the intended vieweris young, objects demographically preferred by young users may berelevant to the intended viewer. For example, visual representations oftoys may be relevant to children.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to gender information associated with the identityof the intended viewer. For example, the information indicative of therelationship may relate to demographic information associated with thegender of the intended viewer. In such an example, if the intendedviewer is male, visual representations of objects which are generallyinteresting to male viewers may be relevant to the intended viewer. Forexample, visual representations of cars, tools, motorized vehicles, etc.may be relevant to a male viewer.

In at least one example embodiment, the information indicative of therelationship relates to industry information associated with theidentity of the intended viewer. The industry information may relate toemployment of the intended viewer, such as a company for which theintended viewer works, a field of work in which the intended viewerworks, and/or the like. For example, visual representations ofcolleagues working in the same company/field/study of discipline may berelevant to the intended viewer. Similarly, potential trade partners ofthe company for which the intended viewer works may be relevant to theintended viewer.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to consider the role of anobject in the visual media item when determining relevance of the objectto the intended viewer. For example, an object that plays a prominentrole in an image may be more relevant to the intended viewer than anobject that plays a less prominent role in the visual media item. In atleast one example embodiment, the determination of relevance comprisesdetermination of a role of the object in the visual media. The role ofthe object may relate to a level of importance of the object withrespect to the visual media. In at least one example embodiment,determination of the role of the object is based, at least in part, onsize of the visual representation of the object, position of the visualrepresentation of the object, and/or the like. For example, a centralposition may indicate a greater relevance than a non-central position.In another example, a larger visual representation of the object mayindicate a greater relevance than a smaller visual representation of theobject. For example, a visual representation of a person having a largesize and located in the middle of an image may indicate a more prominentrole in the image than a visual representation of a person having asmall size and located in the periphery of the image. In this manner,even if the person may be unknown to the intended viewer, the person maybe relevant based, at least in part, on the role of the visualrepresentation of the person in the image. Thus, the apparatus maycompare the layout of segmented and recognized objects to differentimage layouts. Furthermore, the different image layouts may beassociated with descriptions of objects, information regarding relativeimportance of objects, and/or the like. The apparatus may identify oneor more layouts for the image from the set of comparison layouts based,at least in part on similarity. Moreover, the apparatus may identify theobject(s) in the reference layouts based, at least in part, onsimilarity to the object of interest. The relevance for an object maythen be determined based on the relevance of the corresponding objectsin one or more of the identified image layouts. The apparatus mayutilize such comparison to increase and/or decrease the relevance ofvisual representations of objects. In this manner, role determination ofa visual representation of an object may be used in combination with anintended viewer relationship to the visual representation of the objectwhen determining relevance of the object.

As previously described, it may be desirable to modify a visual mediaitem based, at least in part, on the relevance of visual representationof object to an intended viewer of the visual media object. In suchcircumstances, it may be desirable to change the emphasis of the visualrepresentations of the object to reflect the relevance of the object tothe intended viewer. In this manner, a modified visual media item maydiffer from the unmodified visual media item at least, by visualemphasis of the visual representation of the object. For example, thedifference of visual emphasis may relate to the visual representation ofthe object comprised by the modified visual media item being emphasizedto a greater extent than the visual representation of the objectcomprised by the visual media item. Such emphasis may relate tomodification of the visual representation of the object and/ormodification of a part of the visual media item that is beyond thevisual representation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, generation of the modified visualmedia item relates to performance of a visual effect on at least onepart of the visual media item that fails to include the visualrepresentation of the object. For example, the visual effect relates tode-emphasis of the region. The region may relate to a background of thevisual media item. In at least one example embodiment, the backgroundrelates to a part of the visual media item that fails to relate to thevisual representation of the object, that fails to relate to any otheridentified object, and/or the like. The region may relate to a visualrepresentation of a different object. For example, emphasis of thevisual representation of the object may relate to changing the visualrepresentation of the object to become more emphasized, or changing thearea surrounding the visual representation of the object to become lessemphasized. For example, an image of a visual representation of anobject in front of a background may be modified to emphasize the objectto a greater extend by way of modifying the visual representation of theobject to become more emphasized, modifying the background to becomeless emphasized, and/or the like. In this manner, generation of themodified visual media item may relate to preclusion of performance ofthe visual effect on at least one part of the visual media item thatincludes the visual representation of the object. Such visual effect mayresult in a change of emphasis of the visual representation of theobject, even though the effect was not performed on the visualrepresentation of the object.

In at least one example embodiment, modification of a part of the visualmedia item with respect to emphasis relates to an application of atleast one visual effect to the part of the visual media item. The visualeffect may relate to a level of emphasis for the visual representationof the object.

In at least one example embodiment, the level of sharpness of a visualrepresentation of an object is indicative of emphasis. For example, agreater emphasized object may have a sharper visual representation thanthat of a less emphasized object. Similarly, a less emphasized objectmay have a more blurry visual representation than that of a greateremphasized object. Users may be familiar with this emphasis by way ofgeneral photography convention. For example, a primary subject of aphotograph may often be in focus, while a less important element of thephotograph may be out of focus. In this manner, users may be familiarwith an association of lack of emphasis for blurred visualrepresentations of objects.

In at least one example embodiment, a bokeh effect may be utilized tochange emphasis of a visual representation of an object. In at least oneexample embodiment, a bokeh effect relates to modification of a visualrepresentation that changes the amount of blur associated with thevisual representation. In this manner, the effect may change theperception of whether the image was focused upon a particular object.For example, an increased bokeh effect may indicate a lack of focus, andconsequently a lesser emphasis. Similarly, a reduced bokeh effect mayindicate focus, and consequently a greater emphasis. For example, abokeh effect may be applied to a visual representation of an object thatis in focus to make the object appear to be out of focus.

In at least one example embodiment, a brightness effect may be utilizedto change emphasis of a visual representation of an object. Thebrightness effect may relate to introduction of a light source, such asa glow effect, modification of a brightness level, and/or the like. Forexample, a decreased brightness may be indicative of de-emphasis of anobject and an increased brightness may be indicative of emphasis of anobject.

In a yet another example embodiment, a color related effect may beutilized to change emphasis of a visual representation of an object. Forexample, the object which is desired to be emphasized may be representedusing colors whereas the object(s) which are desired to be de-emphasizedmay be represented with black and white. In another example, moreprominent colors may be applied to the objects which are to beemphasized and less prominent colors may be applied to objects which areto be de-emphasized. In a yet another example, different filtering maybe applied on the object to be emphasized and the objects or regions tobe de-emphasized. Examples of possible filtering operations include lowpass filtering, high pass filtering, band pass filtering, entropyfiltering, and/or the like. In a yet another example embodiment, addingor reducing noise may be used to de-emphasize or emphasize objects. Forexample, noise may be added to regions or objects in the image which areto be emphasized.

In at least one example embodiment, a removal effect may be utilized tochange emphasis of a visual representation of an object. The removaleffect may relate to deletion an object, replacement of an object,and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment one or more effects associated withemphasis and/or de-emphasis of an object may be based on one or moremodification directives. In at least one example embodiment, amodification directive is a setting, a command, and/or the like, thatdesignates at least one effect to be applied to cause emphasis and/orde-emphasis. The modification directive may relate to a style, colors,color depth, etc. of to apply in in relation to emphasis/de-emphasis ofan object. The modification directive may be predetermined, userdeterminable, and/or the like. For example, a user may change amodification directive. In such an example, the apparatus may provide aninterface that allows the user to change the modification directive, toset the modification directive, and/or the like. For example, theapparatus may provide such a user interface in conjunction with displayof the media item. In this manner, when previewing a picture, the usermay choose how an object is emphasized and/or de-emphasised for thereceiver. The modification directive may be received from a separateapparatus, such as a separate apparatus from which the apparatusreceives the media item. In at least one example embodiment, one or moremodification directives may be applied to a particular media item. Forexample, a user may elect to apply a modification directive to aselected media item. In such an example, the user may drag an interfaceitem that represents the modification directive onto the media item tocause modification of the media item to be performed in conformance withthe modification directive. In at least one example embodiment, userselection of a modification directive for utilization regarding aparticular media item may cause the apparatus to utilize themodification directive regarding later modified media items.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to base the amount ofmodification of a visual representation of an object on a magnitude ofthe relevance of the object to the intended viewer. In at least oneexample embodiment, a magnitude of the visual effect is based, at leastin part, on the relevance. For example, the magnitude of the visualeffect is based, at least in part, on a magnitude of the relevance. Forexample, it may be desirable for a degree of blurring to depend on thedegree relevance of the object to the intended viewer. In such anexample, a small degree of blurring may be applied to visualrepresentations of objects which may be irrelevant to the intenderviewer, and a larger degree of blurring may be applied to visualrepresentations of objects which may be even more irrelevant.

For example, relevance may be determined by way of a social distance. Inat least one example embodiment, a social distance relates to aquantification of social closeness between people, such as countingsocial links between people. The family members of a person may belongto a first category of social distance. The person's own contacts maybelong to a second category of social distance, which may be mostimportant after the family members. The contacts of contacts may belongto a third category of social distance, etc. In such an example, ablurring effect of a visual representation of a family member (if any)may be lesser than a blurring effect of a contact of the person.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. Even though the example of FIG. 3Aindicates a single image, the example of FIG. 3A may relate to a singleimage, a plurality of images, a video, and/or the like. It can be seenthat the visual media item of FIG. 3A comprises visual representation302A of a man, visual representation 304A of a little girl, visualrepresentation 306A of a fish that the man is holding, and visualrepresentation 308A of a tree that is included in the scene of theimage. It can be seen that each of the visual representations 302A,304A, 306A, and 308A are in focus. In this manner, the visual media itemof FIG. 3A may comprise hyperfocal visual content.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. FIG. 3B represents a changed version ofthe visual media item of FIG. 3A. In the example of FIG. 3B, visualrepresentation 302B is based, at least in part, on visual representation302A, visual representation 304B is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 304A, visual representation 306B is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 306A, and visual representation 308B isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 308A. It can be seenthat visual representations 302B, 304B, and 306B are emphasized in FIG.3B by way of application of a bokeh effect on visual representation308B. In this manner, a viewer may perceive emphasis of visualrepresentations 302B, 304B, and 306B.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. FIG. 3C represents a changed version ofthe visual media item of FIG. 3A. In the example of FIG. 3C, visualrepresentation 302C is based, at least in part, on visual representation302A, visual representation 304C is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 304A, visual representation 306C is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 306A, and visual representation 308C isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 308A. It can be seenthat visual representations 302C and 306C are emphasized in FIG. 3C byway of application of a bokeh effect on visual representation 304C andvisual representation 308C. In this manner, a viewer may perceiveemphasis of visual representations 302C and 306C.

To aid in clarification of possible scenarios where an apparatus maygenerate a modified visual representation, such as illustrated in FIGS.3B and 3C, an example scenario will be described. However, it should beunderstood that such scenario is intended merely to clarifycircumstances where such modification may be desirable, and does notnecessarily limit the claims in any way. In an example scenario, a userof an apparatus, John captured the image of FIG. 3A while fishing withJohn's friend, Mike, who is represented in the image by visualrepresentation 302A. The image shows Mike holding a fish, represented byvisual representation 306A, that Mike had just caught, while John'sdaughter, Sally, represented by visual representation 304A, is lookingat Mike and the fish. The tree represented by visual representation 308Ais merely a tree that was present in the background of the image. Theimage of FIG. 3A may be the image that John's apparatus captured, withfocus of each of the visual representations, such that no particularemphasis of any particular visual representation is perceivable.

In this example scenario, the visual representations of the image mayhave different importance to different people viewing the image. Forexample, John may enjoy the image's depiction of John's friend Mike andJohn's daughter Sally. It may be desirable to modify the image of FIG.3A so that the image emphasizes visual representation in accordance withJohn's desires. For example, an apparatus may generate a modifiedversion of the image for John to view. However, Mike may enjoy theimage's depiction of himself holding the fish he had just caught. It maybe desirable to modify the image of FIG. 3A so that the image emphasizesvisual representation in accordance with Mike's desires. For example, anapparatus may generate a modified version of the image for Mike to view.

FIG. 3B may be indicative an image that an apparatus may generate forJohn from the image of FIG. 3A. The apparatus may identify John as anintended viewer of the image. For example, the apparatus may be John'sapparatus, and the apparatus may generate the image based, at least inpart, on a presumption that John will be the viewer of the image. Theapparatus may determine that visual representation 306A is relevantbased, at least in part, on the central role of the fish in the image.For example, the apparatus may determine that the role of the fish inthe image may be important, and may determine that the visualrepresentation of the fish should be emphasized. The apparatus mayidentify Mike as the object represented by visual representation 302A.The apparatus may utilize information indicating that Mike is John'sfriend to determine that the visual representation of Mike should beemphasized. The apparatus may identify Sally as the object representedby visual representation 304A. The apparatus may utilize informationindicating that Sally is John's daughter to determine that the visualrepresentation of Sally should be emphasized. In this manner, theapparatus may determine to modify the image of FIG. 3A so that visualrepresentations of Mike, Sally, and the fish are emphasized. Theapparatus may modify the image of FIG. 3A to generate the image of FIG.3B such that the visual representation of Mike, Sally, and the fishbecome emphasized by way of application of a bokeh effect on otherobjects in the image of FIG. 3A, such as the tree of visualrepresentation 306A. In this manner, the image of FIG. 3B may be animage that the apparatus generated based, at least in part, oncorrelation between John's identity, and information indicative of arelationship with John and Mike, and a relationship between John andSally.

FIG. 3C may be indicative an image that an apparatus may generate forMike from the image of FIG. 3A. The apparatus may identify Mike as anintended viewer of the image. For example, the apparatus may be John'sapparatus, John may be sending a copy of the image to Mike, and theapparatus may generate the image based, at least in part, on identifyingMike as a recipient of the image. The apparatus may determine thatvisual representation 306A is relevant based, at least in part, on thecentral role of the fish in the image. For example, the apparatus maydetermine that the role of the fish in the image may be important, andmay determine that the visual representation of the fish should beemphasized. The apparatus may identify Mike as the object represented byvisual representation 302A. The apparatus may determine that the visualrepresentation of Mike should be emphasized based, at least in part, oncorrelation between the object and the intended viewer. The apparatusmay identify Sally as the object represented by visual representation304A. The apparatus may be unable to find information indicating thatSally has any relevant relationship with Mike such that the apparatusmay determine that the visual representation of Sally should not beemphasized. In this manner, the apparatus may determine to modify theimage of FIG. 3A so that visual representations of Mike and the fish areemphasized. The apparatus may modify the image of FIG. 3A to generatethe image of FIG. 3C such that the visual representation of Mike and thefish become emphasized by way of application of a bokeh effect on otherobjects in the image of FIG. 3A, such as Sally and the tree of visualrepresentation 306A. In this manner, the image of FIG. 3C may be animage that the apparatus generated based, at least in part, oncorrelation between Mike's identity and information indicative of arelationship with John and Mike, and correlation between Mike's identityand information indicative of a lack of relationship between Sally andMike.

FIGS. 4A-4C are diagrams illustrating visual media items according to atleast one example embodiment. The examples of FIGS. 4A-4C are merelyexamples and do not limit the scope of the claims. For example, visualrepresentations may vary, number of objects may vary, proportionality ofthe visual media item may vary, and/or the like.

When the apparatus is determining a relationship between an intendedviewer and an object, the apparatus may utilize a diverse set ofinformation to assess such a relationship when the object is a person.For example, the apparatus may utilize information indicative of arelationship between the intended viewer and the person based oninformation that may be available regarding the relationship withrespect to the intended viewer, with respect to the person, and/or thelike.

In some circumstances, the apparatus may comprise information indicativeof a relationship between an intended viewer and an objectrepresentation in the visual media item. For example, the apparatus maycomprise a list of contacts, a profile, a communication history, and/orthe like. In this manner, when the identity of the intended viewerrelates to a user of the apparatus the contact information may relate tocontact information comprised by a contact list associated with theapparatus. In such an example, the presence of the contact informationon the apparatus of the intended viewer may be information indicative ofa relationship between the user and a person represented by the contactinformation.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable for an apparatus to receiveinformation form a separate apparatus to aid in modification of a visualmedia item. The apparatus may be similar to apparatus 222 of FIG. 2B,and the separate apparatus may be similar to apparatus 226 of FIG. 2B.For example, the external apparatus may comprise information associatedwith an identity of an intended viewer, information indicative of arelationship between the intended viewer and an object of the image,and/or the like. For example, the separate apparatus may be a socialnetworking server that comprises information associated with a socialnetworking account of the intended viewer. In such an example, theapparatus may receive information from the social networking server thatindicates presence or absence of a relationship between the intendedviewer and one or more objects represented in the visual media item.Such utilization of the separate apparatus may be desirable for, atleast the purpose of, utilizing data that the intended viewer may haveestablished throughout his social networking interactions so that thedetermination of relationships for purposes of visual media itemmodification may benefit from the intended viewer's previousinteractions. In another example, the separate apparatus may be acorporate repository, such as an organizational database. In thismanner, the apparatus may utilize the corporate repository to determineworking relationships between an intended viewer and one or more peoplethat may be represented in the visual media item.

In at least one example embodiment, the identity of the viewer relatesto a social networking account designation. The social networkingaccount designation may be a screen name, a user name, an accountidentifier, and/or the like, that identifies a particular socialnetworking account as a social networking account of the intendedviewer. In such an example the apparatus may receive informationindicative of a social connection between the identity and the person.For example, the information indicative of the social connection relatesto contact information associated with the social networking account.Such information may be received from a social networking server.

In some circumstances, there may be information associated with theintended viewer that explicitly indicates a relationship between theintended viewer and one or more objects. For example, there may beprofile information associated with the identity of the intended viewer.In such an example, profile information relates to informationindicative of preferences in relation to one or more objects. Forexample, the profile information may indicate that the intended viewerlikes a particular sport. Such information may be utilized to determinerelevance of objects that may relate to that sport. Similarly, suchinformation may be utilized to identify particular people that may berelevant to the profile information, such as colleagues, favoritecelebrities, and/or the like.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. It can be seen that the visual media itemof FIG. 4A comprises visual representation 402A of a person, visualrepresentation 404A of a person, visual representation 406A of a person,visual representation 408A of a person, visual representation 410A of aperson, visual representation 412A of a person, visual representation414A of a person, and visual representation 416A of a person. It can beseen that each of the visual representations 402A, 404A, 406A, 408A,410A, 412A, 414A, and 416A are in focus. In this manner, the visualmedia item of FIG. 4A may comprise hyperfocal visual content.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. FIG. 4B represents a changed version ofthe visual media item of FIG. 4A. In the example of FIG. 4B, visualrepresentation 402B is based, at least in part, on visual representation402A, visual representation 404B is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 404A, visual representation 406B is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 406A, visual representation 408B isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 408A, visualrepresentation 410B is based, at least in part, on visual representation410A, visual representation 412B is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 412A, visual representation 414B is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 414A, visual representation 416B isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 416A. It can be seenthat visual representations 404B, 408B, 414B, and 416B are emphasized inFIG. 4B by way of application of a bokeh effect on visualrepresentations 402B, 406B, 410B, and 412B. In this manner, a viewer mayperceive emphasis of visual representations 404B, 408B, 414B, and 416B.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a visual media item according to atleast one example embodiment. FIG. 4C represents a changed version ofthe visual media item of FIG. 4A. In the example of FIG. 4C, visualrepresentation 402C is based, at least in part, on visual representation402A, visual representation 404C is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 404A, visual representation 406C is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 406A, visual representation 408C isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 408A, visualrepresentation 410C is based, at least in part, on visual representation410A, visual representation 412C is based, at least in part, on visualrepresentation 412A, visual representation 414C is based, at least inpart, on visual representation 414A, visual representation 416C isbased, at least in part, on visual representation 416A. It can be seenthat visual representations 402C, 404C, 408C, and 410C are emphasized inFIG. 4C by way of application of a bokeh effect on visualrepresentations 406C, 412C, 414C, and 416C. In this manner, a viewer mayperceive emphasis of visual representations 402C, 404C, 408C, and 410C.

To aid in clarification of possible scenarios where an apparatus maygenerate a modified visual representation, such as illustrated in FIGS.4B and 4C, an example scenario will be described. However, it should beunderstood that such scenario is intended merely to clarifycircumstances where such modification may be desirable, and does notnecessarily limit the claims in any way. The images of FIG. 4A may be animage of a group of people at an event, such as a party. The image maybe available to multiple viewers, for example, on a website. Whendifferent viewers view the image on their apparatuses, their apparatusesmay modify the image to emphasize different people based, at least inpart, on a relationship between the viewer and the people. Theseexamples relate to viewers Jim and Bill. In such examples, there may beinformation indicative of a relationship between Jim and Bill, or theremay be absence of information indicative of a relationship between Jimand Bill.

For example, Jim may receive the image of FIG. 4A, and Jim's apparatusmay modify the image of FIG. 4A to generate the image of FIG. 4B based,at least in part, on information indicative of a relationship betweenJim and the people represented in the image. For example, Jim'sapparatus may utilize information indicative of a social connectionbetween Jim and the people represented in the image. In this manner, Jimmay have no social relationship with the people of visualrepresentations 402A, 406A, 410A, and 412A, so that the apparatusgenerates the image of FIG. 4B to de-emphasize these people in visualrepresentations 402B, 406B, 410B, and 412B. In this manner, theapparatus may cause the visual representations of 404B, 408B, 414B, and416B to be emphasized in the image of FIG. 4B. The emphasizedrepresentation may represent people with whom Jim has a socialrelationship, as indicated by social networking information. In thisexample, the people represented by visual representations 404B, 408B,414B, and 416B may relate to Jim's friends, colleagues, and/or the like.

In another example, Bill may receive the image of FIG. 4A, and Bill'sapparatus may modify the image of FIG. 4A to generate the image of FIG.4C based, at least in part, on information indicative of a relationshipbetween Bill and the people represented in the image. For example,Bill's apparatus may utilize information indicative of a socialconnection between Bill and the people represented in the image. In thismanner, Bill may have no social relationship with the people of visualrepresentations 406A, 412A, 414A, and 416A, so that the apparatusgenerates the image of FIG. 4C to de-emphasize these people in visualrepresentations 406C, 412C, 414C, and 416C. In this manner, theapparatus may cause the visual representations of 402C, 404C, 408C, and410C to be emphasized in the image of FIG. 4C. The emphasizedrepresentation may represent people with whom Bill has a socialrelationship, as indicated by social networking information. In thisexample, the people represented by visual representations 402C, 404C,408C, and 410C may relate to Bill's friends, colleagues, and/or thelike.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 5. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 5.

At block 502, the apparatus receives a visual media item. The receiptand the visual media item may be similar as described regarding FIGS.2A-2B, FIGS. 3A-3C, and/or the like.

At block 504, the apparatus determines an identity of at least oneintended viewer of the visual media item. The determination, theidentity, and the intended viewer may be similar as described regardingFIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and/or the like.

At block 506, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item. The identification,the visual representation, and the object may be similar as describedregarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 508, the apparatus determines a relevance of the object based,at least in part, on the identity of the intended viewer. Thedetermination and the relevance may be similar as described regardingFIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 510, the apparatus generates a modified visual media item suchthat the modified visual media item differs from the visual media item,at least, by visual emphasis of the visual representation of the object.The generation, the modified visual media item, the difference, and thevisual emphasis may be similar as described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS.4A-4C, and/or the like.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 6. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 6.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable for the relevance of anobject to an intended viewer to be dynamic. For example, it may bedesirable for the relevance to desirable for the relevance to be based,at least in part, on the user's context at the time of viewing. It maybe desirable for the apparatus to determine relevance based, at least inpart, on environmental factors that indicate an activity, or currentcircumstances of the intended viewer and/or the apparatus. For example,objects related to the user's current and/or recent activity may bedetermined to be relevant. In such an example, if the user is/has beenrunning, visual objects related to sporting goods, sport activities,sport buddies, and/or the like may be determined to be relevant. Inanother example, objects related to user's current/recent environmentmay be determined to be relevant. For example, if the user has beenvisiting guitar shops, objects relating to guitars may be determined tobe relevant.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus determines informationindicative of at least one environmental factor associated with thevisual media item. The environmental factor may relate to thecircumstances of the intended viewer, the circumstances of the visualmedia item, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus may determinethe information indicative of the environmental factor associated withthe visual media item by retrieving metadata associated with the visualmedia item. Such metadata may be stored with the visual media item. Themetadata may indicate where the visual media item was recorded, when thevisual media item was recorded, and/or the like. The apparatus maycompare such metadata information to the environmental factors of theuser for object identification, for relevance determination, and/or thelike.

In some circumstances, the apparatus may determine environmental factorsbased, at least in part, on information received from sensors. Forexample, the intended viewer may be a user of the apparatus. In such anexample, the apparatus may use the environmental factor as informationindicative of a relationship between the user and an object. The sensorsmay be similar as described regarding FIG. 1. For example, the apparatusmay determine an environmental factor based, at least in part, onaccelerometer information, light sensor information, global positionsystem information, cellular network identifier information, wirelesslocal area network identifier information, magnetometer information,gyroscopic information, microphone information, camera information,and/or the like. The apparatus may utilize such information to determinean activity, a location, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus maydetermine that the environmental factors indicate that the intendedviewer is walking, running, in a car, at a particular geographiclocation, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the informationindicative of the environmental factor associated with the visual mediaitem comprises receipt of sensor information indicative of theenvironmental factor. The environmental factor may relate to ageographical position, a direction, and/or the like. In at least oneexample embodiment, the identification of the visual representation ofthe object is based, at least in part, on the environmental factor. Inat least one example embodiment, the determination of the relevance ofan object is based, at least in part, on the environmental factor.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus determines that anobject corresponds with at least one point of interest associated withthe environmental factor. A point of interest may be a street, abuilding, or a landmark, and/or the like. For example, map informationmay comprise information indicative of one or more points of interest inassociation with one or more geographical locations. The apparatus maydetermine a relationship between the geographical location of theapparatus and the point of interest. In some circumstances, theapparatus may determine a relationship between the geographical locationof the apparatus and the point of interest based, at least in part, on adirection of the apparatus. For example, the apparatus may be at alocation facing a direction that allows for perception of the point ofinterest. In at least one example embodiment, the identification of thevisual representation of the object is based, at least in part, on thedetermination that the object corresponds with at least one point ofinterest associated with the environmental factor.

At block 602, the apparatus receives a visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 502 of FIG. 5. At block 604, the apparatusdetermines an identity of at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item, similarly as described regarding block 504 of FIG. 5.

At block 606, the apparatus determines information indicative of atleast one environmental factor associated with the visual media item.

At block 608, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item based, at least inpart, on the environmental factor. The identification, the visualrepresentation, and the object may be similar as described regardingFIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 610, the apparatus determines a relevance of the object based,at least in part, on the identity of the intended viewer and theenvironmental factor. The determination and the relevance may be similaras described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 612, the apparatus generates a modified visual media item suchthat the modified visual media item differs from the visual media item,at least, by visual emphasis of the visual representation of the object,similarly as described regarding block 510 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 7. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 7.

As previously described, information may be exchanged from an apparatusof a user to a different apparatus of a different user, similarly asdescribed regarding FIGS. 2A-2B. In such circumstances, an apparatus maysend a visual media item to a user of a separate apparatus. In suchcircumstances, the user of the separate apparatus may desire the visualmedia item to be tailored to emphasize objects that are important tohimself. For example, in relation to the example provided regardingFIGS. 3A-3C, John may send the visual media item to Mike. However, Mikemay desire to view the visual media item of FIG. 3C instead of thevisual media item of FIG. 3A or the visual media item of FIG. 3B. Insuch an example, it may be desirable for Mike's apparatus to receive thevisual media item of FIG. 3A, and to automatically generate the visualmedia item of FIG. 3C. In another example, it may be desirable forJohn's apparatus to generate and send the visual media item of FIG. 3Cto Mike's apparatus. For example, Mike's apparatus may be incapable ofgenerating the visual media item of FIG. 3C from the visual media itemof FIG. 3A. However, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to sendthe unmodified visual media item to the recipient. For example therecipient may desire to perform different modifications to theunmodified visual media item, may desire to compare the modified visualmedia item to the unmodified visual media item, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus determines an intendedviewer of the visual media item to be a recipient of the visual mediaitem. For example, the apparatus may determine the identity of theintended viewer based, at least in part, on the identity of therecipient.

At block 702, the apparatus receives a visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 502 of FIG. 5.

At block 704, the apparatus determines an identity of at least onerecipient of the visual media item. For example the apparatus mayevaluate a designated recipient for the visual media item to determinethe recipient is an intended viewer of the visual media item. Thedetermination, the identity, and the intended viewer may be similar asdescribed regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and/or thelike.

At block 706, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 506 of FIG. 5.

At block 708, the apparatus determines a relevance of the object based,at least in part, on the identity of the recipient. The determinationand the relevance may be similar as described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C,FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 710, the apparatus generates a modified visual media item suchthat the modified visual media item differs from the visual media item,at least, by visual emphasis of the visual representation of the object,similarly as described regarding block 510 of FIG. 5.

At block 712, the apparatus sends the modified visual media item to therecipient. The sending may be similar as described regarding FIGS.2A-2B.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 8. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 8.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable for a user of an apparatus toview a visual media item as it would be viewed by an intended viewer.For example, in relation to the example of FIGS. 3A-3C, John may desireto view the visual media item of FIG. 3C to see the modifications thatMike would see. Therefore, it may be desirable for the apparatus toallow a user to designate an intended viewer of a visual media item. Inthis manner, the user may be able to cause the apparatus to generate oneor more modified visual media items based, at least in part, on thedesignation of one or more intended viewers.

At block 802, the apparatus receives a visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 502 of FIG. 5.

At block 804, the apparatus receives information indicative of an inputthat designates the identity of an intended viewer of the visual mediaitem. In at least one example embodiment, the input relates to selectionof an interface item associated with the identity. The interface itemmay be any selectable interface element that allows for designation of aparticular identity, or group of identities. For example, the interfaceitem may be a contact interface item associated with the intendedviewer. In at least one example embodiment, a contact interface item isan interface item that may be selected for access to contactinformation. In another example, the interface item may be an image ofthe intended viewer. In such an example, the image of the intendedviewer may be comprised by the visual media item. For example, the inputmay involve user touching and holding on a representation of a person inthe visual media item to identify an intended viewer of the visual mediaitem. In this manner, the input may relate to selection of a part of thevisual media item that corresponds with a visual representation of theidentity. In another example, the input may involve the user dragging animage of a person, for example from a contact book, on top of the visualmedia item. In this manner, the selection may relate to a drag inputindicative of dragging the interface item to a position that correspondswith a position of the displayed visual media item. In another example,the input may involve the user flipping the image from its corner, as ifturning a page in a book. In such an example, the apparatus may providea sequence of images with different emphasis representations fordifferent intended viewers.

At block 806, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 506 of FIG. 5. At block 808, the apparatusdetermines a relevance of the object based, at least in part, on theidentity of the intended viewer, similarly as described regarding block508 of FIG. 5. At block 810, the apparatus generates a modified visualmedia item such that the modified visual media item differs from thevisual media item, at least, by visual emphasis of the visualrepresentation of the object.

At block 812, the apparatus causes display of the modified visual mediaitem. Causation of display may comprise displaying the modified visualmedia item, sending information indicative of the visual media item to aseparate apparatus to be displayed, and/or the like.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 9. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 9.

In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus may identify multiplevisual representations of objects in a visual media item. For example,the apparatus may identify visual representations 302A, 304A, 306A, and308A of the visual media item of FIG. 3A. In such an example, theapparatus may determine different relevances for the various objects. Insome circumstances, causing emphasis of an interface element maycomprise causing de-emphasis of a different interface element. Forexample, the visual media item of FIG. 3C emphasizes the objects ofvisual representations 302C and 306C by way of de-emphasis of theobjects of visual representations 304C and 308C. As previouslydescribed, the amount of emphasis of a particular visual representationmay depend upon relevance of a different interface element. For example,emphasis of a representation of an object may be based, at least inpart, on a comparison between relevance of the object of the visualrepresentation and relevance of a different object. In somecircumstances, an object having a greater relevance than another objectmay have an associated visual representation that is modified to beemphasized to a greater extent than represented in the unmodified visualmedia item. For example, in the modified visual media item of FIG. 3B,the relevance of the object of visual representation 302B may be greaterthan the relevance of the object of visual representation 308B. It canbe seen that the de-emphasis of visual representation 308B from emphasisof visual representation 308A (as depicted in the unmodified visualmedia item of FIG. 3A) results in visual representation 302B beingemphasized to a greater extent than visual representation 302A (asdepicted in the unmodified visual media item of FIG. 3A). In thismanner, de-emphasis of visual representation 308B has resulted in visualrepresentation 302B being emphasized to a greater extent, even thoughvisual representation 302B may be similar, or even the same as, visualrepresentation 302A.

At block 902, the apparatus receives a visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 502 of FIG. 5. At block 904, the apparatusdetermines an identity of at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item, similarly as described regarding block 504 of FIG. 5. Atblock 906, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of an objectthat is comprised by the visual media item, similarly as describedregarding block 506 of FIG. 5. At block 908, the apparatus determines arelevance of the object based, at least in part, on the identity of theintended viewer, similarly as described regarding block 508 of FIG. 5.

At block 910, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of adifferent object that is comprised by the visual media item. Theidentification, the visual representation, and the different object maybe similar as described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or thelike.

At block 912, the apparatus determines a relevance of the differentobject based, at least in part, on the identity of the intended viewerto be greater than the relevance of the object. The determination andthe relevance may be similar as described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS.4A-4C, and/or the like.

At block 914, the apparatus generates a modified visual media item suchthat the visual representation of the object comprised by the modifiedvisual media item is emphasized to a lesser extent than the visualrepresentation of the object comprised by the visual media item. Thegeneration, the modified visual media item, the difference, and thevisual emphasis may be similar as described regarding FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS.4A-4C, and/or the like.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with amodified visual media item according to at least one example embodiment.In at least one example embodiment, there is a set of operations thatcorresponds with the activities of FIG. 10. An apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize theset of operations. The apparatus may comprise means, including, forexample processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of such operations. Inan example embodiment, an apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, for example memory 12 ofFIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to, working with aprocessor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus toperform set of operations of FIG. 10.

At block 1002, the apparatus receives a visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 502 of FIG. 5. At block 1004, the apparatusdetermines an identity of at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item, similarly as described regarding block 504 of FIG. 5. Atblock 1006, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of anobject that is comprised by the visual media item, similarly asdescribed regarding block 506 of FIG. 5. At block 1008, the apparatusdetermines a relevance of the object based, at least in part, on theidentity of the intended viewer, similarly as described regarding block508 of FIG. 5.

At block 1010, the apparatus identifies a visual representation of adifferent object that is comprised by the visual media item, similarlyas described regarding block 910 of FIG. 9. At block 1012, the apparatusdetermines a relevance of the different object based, at least in part,on the identity of the intended viewer to be greater than the relevanceof the object, similarly as described regarding block 912 of FIG. 9.

At block 1014, the apparatus generates a modified visual media item suchthat the visual representation of the object comprised by the modifiedvisual media item is emphasized to a lesser extent than the visualrepresentation of the object comprised by the visual media item and thevisual representation of the different object comprised by the modifiedvisual media item is emphasized to a greater extent than the visualrepresentation of the different object comprised by the visual mediaitem. The generation, the modified visual media item, the difference,and the visual emphasis may be similar as described regarding FIGS.3A-3C, FIGS. 4A-4C, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus mayapply a bokeh effect to the visual representation of the object toemphasize the different object, and may apply a brightening effect tothe visual representation of the different object to emphasize thedifferent object.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in software, hardware,application logic or a combination of software, hardware, andapplication logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware mayreside on the apparatus, a separate device, or a plurality of separatedevices. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/orhardware may reside on the apparatus, part of the software, applicationlogic and/or hardware may reside on a separate device, and part of thesoftware, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a plurality ofseparate devices. In an example embodiment, the application logic,software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of variousconventional computer-readable media.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. For example,block 504 of FIG. 5 may be performed after block 506. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional ormay be combined. For example, block 506 of FIG. 5 may be optional and/orcombined with block 508.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independentclaims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations offeatures from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims withthe features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinationsexplicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed ina limiting sense. Rather, there are variations and modifications whichmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor;at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, theat least one non-transitory memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, working with the at least one processor, cause theapparatus to perform at least the following: receive a visual mediaitem; determine a context of at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item, wherein the context comprises at least one of: a location ofthe at least one intended viewer of the visual media item substantiallyat a time of viewing the visual media item, a direction of the at leastone intended viewer of the visual media item substantially at the timeof viewing the visual media item, or an activity of the at least oneintended viewer of the visual media item substantially at the time ofviewing the visual media item; identify a visual representation of anobject that the visual media item comprises; determine a relevance ofthe object based, at least partially, on the context; and generate,responsive to the determined relevance, a modified visual media itemsuch that the modified visual media item differs from the visual mediaitem, at least, through visual emphasis of the visual representation ofthe object.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visualrepresentation of the object the modified visual media item comprises isemphasized to a greater extent than the visual representation of theobject that the visual media item comprises.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein generation of the modified visual media item relates toperformance of a visual effect on the visual representation of theobject.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least onenon-transitory memory including the computer program code is furtherconfigured to, working with the at least one processor, cause theapparatus to: perform determination of information indicative of atleast one environmental factor associated with the visual media item,wherein at least one of the identification of the visual representationof the object or determination of the relevance of the object is based,at least partially, on the at least one environmental factor.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memoryincluding the computer program code is further configured to, workingwith the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: perform sendingthe modified visual media item to a recipient, wherein the at least oneintended viewer is the recipient.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereindetermination of the context comprises receipt of sensor informationindicative of the context of the at least one intended viewer.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memoryincluding the computer program code is further configured to, workingwith the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform:identification of a visual representation of a different object; andidentification of a different relevance of the different object based,at least partially, on the context, wherein the different relevance isgreater than the relevance, and the visual representation of the objectthat the modified visual media item comprises is emphasized to a lesserextent than the visual representation of the object that the visualmedia item comprises.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein generation ofthe modified visual media item is performed such that the modifiedvisual media item differs from the visual media item, at least, throughvisual emphasis of the visual representation of the different objectbeing emphasized to a greater extent than the visual representation ofthe different object that the visual media item comprises.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a displayconfigured to display at least one of the media item or the modifiedmedia item.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identification thevisual representation of the object comprises identifying the visualrepresentation of the object based at least partially on the context.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual media item comprisesmap information comprising one or more points of interest, and whereinthe object comprises one of the one or more points of interest.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memoryincluding the computer program code is further configured to, workingwith the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: performdetermination of an identity of the at least one intended viewer of thevisual media item, and wherein determination of the relevance of theobject is further based, at least partially, on the identity.
 13. Amobile communications device comprising the apparatus of claim
 1. 14. Aserver comprising the apparatus of claim
 1. 15. A method comprising:receiving a visual media item; determining a context of at least oneintended viewer of the visual media item, wherein the context comprisesat least one of: a location of the at least one intended viewer of thevisual media item substantially at a time of viewing the visual mediaitem, a direction of the at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item substantially at the time of viewing the visual media item,or an activity of the at least one intended viewer of the visual mediaitem substantially at the time of viewing the visual media item;identifying a visual representation of an object that the visual mediaitem comprises; determining a relevance of the object based, at leastpartially, on the context; and generating, responsive to the determinedrelevance, a modified visual media item such that the modified visualmedia item differs from the visual media item, at least, through visualemphasis of the visual representation of the object.
 16. At least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that,when executed with a processor, perform: receiving a visual media item;determining a context of at least one intended viewer of the visualmedia item, wherein the context comprises at least one of: a location ofthe at least one intended viewer of the visual media item substantiallyat a time of viewing the visual media item, a direction of the at leastone intended viewer of the visual media item substantially at the timeof viewing the visual media item, or an activity of the at least oneintended viewer of the visual media item substantially at the time ofviewing the visual media item; identifying a visual representation of anobject that the visual media item comprises; determining a relevance ofthe object based, at least partially, on the context; and generating,responsive to the determined relevance, a modified visual media itemsuch that the modified visual media item differs from the visual mediaitem, at least, through visual emphasis of the visual representation ofthe object.